Generations In Touch Program

The Generations In Touch (GIT) program is a program for the young and the young at heart. Applicants for both programs must be 55 years or older, a resident of Westmoreland County, able to obtain Act 33 and 34 clearances and have a valid Pennsylvania Drivers License and Insurance. The GIT In-Home program is its 19th year of existence.

The main purpose of the WCCB is to keep children safe in their family home. The GIT program attempts to make this a reality by providing support to the families as well as to the caseworkers. The GIT program links the senior population to work with pre-school age children, 0-5 years of age in their families' homes where abuse and/or neglect has already been documented. During training, the GIT worker will learn listening skills, how to give emotional support, indicators of abuse and legal issues related to reporting child abuse.

The In-Home GIT worker can use accumulated knowledge and experience obtained by raising their own children to help build special relationships with the children and the families they serve. While providing a service to the family, the GIT worker keeps the caseworker updated on problems or progress of the family. The GIT worker provides the needed emotional support and quality time on a one-on-one basis with the identified child. In addition, the GIT worker also provides support to the parent in the form of a role model, teacher and friend.

The GIT Office based worker has a variety of job responsibilities and works in the WCCB office. The GIT worker provides supportive services to the foster care coordinator and both GIT programs are supervised by the GIT Coordinator. The GIT Office based worker updates the foster home lists weekly, assists case workers in arranging foster care placements, completes the initial screening of prospective foster parents and provides follow-up support/assessment of new foster homes via phone contact and provides supervision during office visits between children and their parents.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

Adhere to professional code for confidentiality

Work schedule 15-20 hours per week

Required to attend staff meetings as directed

Write simple reports as directed

Attend paid in-service training

Travel to designated field sites - travel costs will be reimbursed

Give tender loving, emotional support and companionship to children and families with special needs

Interact with children through play and other activities with and assigned family and provide assistance to that family with appropriate tasks

Be a role model for parents

Teach simple tasks such as basic life skills relating to personal hygiene, social manners, etc

Teach children through example how to interact appropriately with each other.

Provide extra hands, heart and ears to the entire family

Comply with the program's provisions for reporting suspected abuse or neglect to the GIT Coordinator

Both the In-Home and Office based GIT positions are minimum wage, part-time positions through a grant funded program of the WCCB.

Please contact Michelle Brant at the Westmoreland County Children's Bureau by email or calling (724) 830-3305.